Illini's Williams, Brown, Head share MVP award at banquet

URBANA, Ill. -- Illinois juniors Deron Williams and Dee Brown said Tuesday they aren't thinking yet about the NBA draft in June, but their coach already is discussing their options with them.

"We are just trying to educate them, help them know their options and just where they stand," said coach Bruce Weber. "I want to make sure we're doing the right thing for all of them. Their decision has to be an educated decision."

Weber said the chances are "pretty good" that Williams will turn pro, but Williams didn't want to talk about it after the team's annual awards banquet Tuesday night. "I'm on vacation," was his repeated response to questions on the subject.

Brown also said he hasn't made a decision about turning pro.

"I'm not really thinking about it right now," he said while signing dozens of autographs. "A lot of people have been thinking about it for me."

Weber visited with Brown and his mother earlier Tuesday and said Brown "is probably going to come back."

Underclassmen can declare for the NBA draft but still return to school if they do not hire an agent.

Williams, Brown and senior Luther Head shared the team's most valuable player award after a 37-2 season that ended with a 75-70 loss to North Carolina in the national championship.

Weber told a crowd of more than 800 at the Champaign-Urbana Kiwanis Club's annual awards night that all three were critical to a team.

Brown also won the team's hustle award -- named the Matto Award in honor of the late Illini guard Matt Heldman -- for the third straight year.

Senior forward Jack Ingram was voted by the coaching staff as the team's most improved player and senior forward Roger Powell Jr. won the Lou Henson Courage Award. Powell and senior reserve Fred Nkemdi will share the Kenny Battle Most Inspirational Player award.

Center James Augustine won both awards that are based on statistics -- the Ralf Woods Free Throw Award and the Illinois Rebounders Award.

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